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The Women's Land Rights Initiative (WLRI) is a collaborative network of over 60 partners, dedicated to prioritizing women's land rights within the frameworks of the three UN Rio Conventions: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The initiative emphasizes the crucial role of secure and equal rights to land for women in achieving the objectives of these conventions, making the case for integrated approaches to sustainable land use that can synergistically address climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation. Ahead of the International Women's Day, our new video showcases why women's secure land rights must be at the heart of healing our relationship with nature. Learn more.    

CARI is launching a new edition of Désertif'actions focused on drought resilience via a programme planned for 2025-2026 in  three phases:Phase 1: Preparation of a joint advocacy by international civil societyFrom March to September 2025, all associations, NGOs and voluntary networks are invited to organize preparatory national workshops to outline country-specific concerns and produce collective national recommendations. CARI proposes common terms of reference for these workshopsAn online questionnaire will be launched on 17 June 2025 to ensure broad participation by all stakeholders.CARI will circulate notes on the decisions taken at the most recent UNCCD COP16.From November to December 2025, international webinars will enable the pooling, analysis and completion of the national workshop results and the questionnaire to identify the priorities to be raised at the global level.Phase 2: Désertif'actions international summit from 25 to 28 March 2026 in Djerba, TunisiaThis multi-stakeholder meeting, initiated by civil society, will bring together 350 participants to prepare the contribution ofCSOs to the negotiations of the next COP17 of the Convention to Combat Desertification, to position the drought resilience at the center of policy implementation.Phase 3: Participation in UNCCD COP17 in 2026 in Mongolia to share the recommendations from Désertif'actionsIn collaboration with the civil society organizations and networks accredited to the UNCCD and the CSO panel, the goal of this campaign is to promote a joint advocacy during the UNCCD COP17 negotiations and to influence its decisions to raise countries' resilience in the face of drought. Download the Désertif'actions 2026 information noteCARI invites you to organize national preparatory workshops for Désertif'actions before 30 September 2025.To enable the pooling of the results of these workshops, CARI is proposing terms of reference to frame the content around the central issue of reducing drought vulnerability. The terms of reference can be downloaded here: Désertif'actions websiteProposed thematic subjects:Transformation of sedentary agricultural and/or livestock production systems to make them more resilient to droughtsSupport for pastoralism as a mobile production system relevant to droughtsTerritorial management of water resources: reconciling different usesThe role of local authorities in proactive territorial management to anticipate the risk of droughtVoluntary organizations organizing national workshops are free to adapt the organisational arrangements (duration, participants, formats).The preparatory workshops are primarily intended for civil society, to enable the development of joint recommendations. The participation of national institutional representatives and other stakeholder groups is recommended to enrich the dialogue.To facilitate consultation, participation by all and the production of recommendations, we recommend that you organise the work in groups and limit plenary sessions to information sharing.Connecting with organizations and advocacy networks and those active within the UNCCD can help pool your effortsIf you would like to organise a national preparatory workshop for Desertif'actions 2026:Inform CARI contact@desertif-actions.org of your upcoming workshopAsk CARI to put you in touch with relevant organizations and networksSend the workshop report to CARI before 30 September 2025CARI can provide methodological support to help organize the workshop but unable to provide any financial support

The UNCCD COP16 took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in December 2024. Its impact has been tremendous, with governments pledging scale up their efforts to address land degradation and enhance resilience to drought. Those pledges also embraced an ambitious science agenda, and the scientific community is stepping up to meet the challenge.Central to this will be the future work of UNCCD Science-Policy Interface (SPI), which provides the best opportunity for global scientists to ensure that efforts to combat land degradation and drought are grounded on solid evidence. To meet these needs, the UNCCD is issuing an Open Call for independent scientists willing to support policy makers and practitioners achieve the vision and ambition expressed by countries at COP16.Who serves on the SPI and what is needed?     Today more than ever there is an urgency of translating scientific findings into policy and practice. The work of the SPI over the next two years will help policy makers and practitioners advance in how we address land system challenges and build resilience of communities and ecosystems in a rapidly changing world.Specifically, your expertise is needed to:Contribute to the next Global Land Outlook, the UNCCD flagship reportContribute to the development of other products providing scientific support for the UNCCDCollaborate with other intergovernmental science bodies and panels as appropriateAs emphasized by the UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw, "Scientific and traditional knowledge, actionable data and interdisciplinary collaboration are indispensable for addressing land degradation and building community and ecosystem resilience to drought." What has SPI accomplished so far?The SPI has been central to UNCCD efforts to underpin policy development with sound science since 2013. Over 100 experts with a wide range of disciplinary expertise from countries all over the world have served on the SPI. The work of the SPI has scientifically framed the global approach to addressing land degradation under the 2030 Agenda’s SDG Target 15.3 known as Land Degradation Neutrality, and explored the nexus between land and drought so that resilience can be enhanced. During the 2022-2024 period the SPI accomplishments included technical reports resulting from scientific assessments on aridity trends, projections and impacts and sustainable land use systems. Learn more about SPI work here.UNCCD Chief Scientist Dr. Barron Joseph Orr emphasized the urgent need for experts skilled in translating science into language an informed public and policy makers can readily understand and use. “The impact of the SPI's voluntary efforts on the world is beyond measure. Members are certainly top scientists in their given fields, but also exceptional communicators. Our objective is to put a human face on land degradation and drought, which is why these experts hail from across the globe and cover not only the biophysical aspects of environmental change, but the economic, social and cultural dimensions as well.”How does the SPI function?The UNCCD Science-Policy Interface is comprised of 35 experts (25 independent scientists, five science delegates and five observers). The independent scientists are recruited through a global Open Call and selected by the Bureau of the UNCCD Committee on Science and Technology (CST) on the basis of scientific merit and experience in interfacing science and policy, taking into account career stage as well as gender and regional and disciplinary balance. The five science delegates are elected by each region to serve on the CST Bureau and the SPI. Four observer organizations selected by the CST Bureau following an open call to UNCCD-accredited United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations based on their contribution to the implementation of the UNCCD. The fifth observer represents civil society organizations and is nominated by the UNCCD Civil Society Organizations Panel.The SPI is co-chaired by the Chair of the Committee on Science and Technology and an independent scientist elected by SPI members. Participation is voluntary and is governed by the Bureau of the CST supported by SPI governance documents which outline the roles and responsibilities of all members and observers. Most of the work of the SPI is conducted virtually, with tasks covered by different working groups. Past members have reported committing as much as 20 per cent of their time to deliver on the work programme of the SPI developed by the Parties to the Convention. How do I apply to serve on the SPI?Learn more and then apply              Go directly to the application                                               

Bonn, 21 de febrero de 2025 – El Gobierno de Mongolia y la Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación (CNULD) han firmado un acuerdo que allana el camino para la 17ª sesión de la Conferencia de las Partes de la Convención (COP17) en Ulán Bator en 2026.  La COP17 reunirá a las 197 Partes de la CNULD en un foro mundial clave para acelerar la acción contra la desertificación, la degradación de la tierra y la sequía. Mongolia, uno de los países más afectados por la desertificación, con casi el 77 % de sus tierras degradadas, aprovechará la COP17 para proponer soluciones para la restauración y la gestión sostenible de la tierra, y el aumento de la resiliencia en todo el mundo.  En la ceremonia de la firma en Bonn (Alemania), Odontuya Saldan, Ministra de Medio Ambiente y Cambio Climático de Mongolia, declaró: «Mongolia se ha comprometido a luchar contra la desertificación y a restaurar las tierras degradadas. A través de iniciativas como la campaña Mil millones de árboles, estamos dando pasos decisivos para proteger nuestro medio ambiente y garantizar un futuro sostenible para las generaciones venideras». Por su parte, el Secretario Ejecutivo de la CNULD, Ibrahim Thiaw afirmó que «no se puede exagerar la urgencia de abordar la desertificación y la sequía. La COP17 en Mongolia aprovechará el impulso de la COP16 en Riad para mejorar los compromisos mundiales, reforzar los mecanismos financieros y fomentar las alianzas intersectoriales». Según datos de la CNULD, hasta un 40 % de las tierras del planeta están degradadas, lo que afecta casi a la mitad de la humanidad y amenaza la estabilidad climática, la biodiversidad y los medios de subsistencia. Abordar la degradación de la tierra es esencial para la seguridad alimentaria, el abastecimiento de agua y la resiliencia al cambio climático. La COP17, fijada para 2026 durante el Año Internacional de los Pastizales y los Pastores (AIPP) – declarado por la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas y promovido por Mongolia – se basará en los esfuerzos para impulsar la gestión sostenible, la restauración y la conservación de los pastizales.  Estos inmensos sistemas de pastoreo son vitales para la economía, la seguridad alimentaria, la biodiversidad y la resiliencia al cambio climático. Sin embargo, más del 50 % de ellos se enfrentan a una alarmante degradación. Los pastizales no sólo sirven de sustento a pequeños ganaderos, agricultores y comunidades indígenas, sino que también desempeñan un papel crucial en la estabilización del suelo, la regulación de los ciclos del agua, la mejora de la biodiversidad y el almacenamiento de carbono. Gestionar los pastizales de manera efectiva es esencial para la economía de unos 500 millones de pastores, lo que convierte a la COP17 en un momento clave para los Pueblos Indígenas y las comunidades locales. Dado que el 60 % de las tierras de Asia Central y Mongola se usan como pastizales y sustentan a casi un tercio de la población de la región, la gestión sostenible de la tierra es una prioridad nacional. A pesar de su valor, históricamente han recibido menos atención y financiación que los bosques y los humedales. La COP17 y el AIPP proporcionarán una plataforma vital para avanzar en la gestión sostenible de la tierra y reforzar los compromisos mundiales para la restauración de los pastizales. La conferencia, de dos semanas de duración, incluirá una serie de sesiones de alto nivel, diálogos temáticos y foros, como el caucus de género y el primer caucus de Pueblos Indígenas. Además, el Foro de la Juventud y el Foro Business4Land involucrarán a los jóvenes y al sector privado en soluciones de gestión sostenible de la tierra.  La COP17 de Mongolia servirá de plataforma mundial para abordar los retos climáticos, y se centrará en la desertificación, la sequía y la transición hacia las energías renovables. Reforzar la cooperación internacional será clave para impulsar la inversión climática, crear empleos verdes y fomentar el desarrollo sostenible. Mongolia se enfrenta a graves amenazas medioambientales, tales como la degradación del suelo, las tormentas de arena y polvo y la desertificación, por lo que la protección del medio ambiente y el crecimiento ecológico son prioridades nacionales. En consonancia con los objetivos de Neutralidad de Degradación de la Tierra (LDN por sus siglas en inglés), Mongolia pretende reducir la deforestación y la degradación forestal para mantener el 9 % de la superficie total cubierto de bosques para 2030, promover la gestión sostenible de los pastizales para detener la degradación, aumentar el rendimiento agrícola y garantizar que no haya pérdida neta de humedales para 2030. Sobre la base de los avances logrados en la COP16 de la CNULD, celebrada en Riad (Arabia Saudí) en diciembre de 2024, los países trabajarán para finalizar un régimen mundial integral contra la sequía que mejore la preparación y la resiliencia frente a los crecientes riesgos de sequía.  Si desea obtener más información, póngase en contacto con la oficina de prensa de la CNULD (press@unccd.int) o yendo a la página web https://www.unccd.int/, o a nuestra cuenta de X @unccd. Acerca de la CNULD La Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación (CNULD) es un acuerdo internacional sobre la buena gestión de la tierra. Ayuda a las personas, las comunidades y los países a crear riqueza, hacer crecer las economías y garantizar alimentos suficientes, agua limpia y energía asegurando a los usuarios de la tierra un entorno propicio para la gestión sostenible de la tierra. A través de asociaciones, las 197 Partes de la Convención establecen sistemas sólidos para gestionar la sequía con prontitud y eficacia. Una buena gestión de la tierra basada en políticas y conocimientos científicos sólidos ayuda a integrar y acelerar la consecución de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, aumenta la resiliencia al cambio climático y evita la pérdida de biodiversidad.  Acerca del Año Internacional de los Pastizales y los Pastores Por iniciativa de Mongolia, La Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas ha designado 2026 Año Internacional de los Pastizales y los Pastores (AIPP 2026) para mejorar la gestión de los pastizales y la vida de los pastores. Con esta declaración, se hace un llamamiento a los Estados Miembros de la ONU para que inviertan en la gestión sostenible de los pastizales, restauren las tierras degradadas, mejoren el acceso de los pastores a los mercados, mejoren los servicios de extensión ganadera y colmen las lagunas de conocimiento sobre los pastizales y el pastoreo. El AIPP 2026 coincidirá con la COP17 de la CNULD que acogerá Mongolia. 

Your Excellency Minister Odontuya Saldan, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia,Your Excellency Mr. Mandakhbileg Birvaa, Ambassador of Mongolia to Germany Your Excellency Ms. Chimguundari Navaan-Yunden, Ambassador at large for UNCCD COP17Dear Colleagues,I am honored to receive you here today, in Bonn, to sign the Host Country Agreement of UNCCD COP 17, to be held in 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Signing this agreement more than a year ahead of COP is a remarkable achievement in itself. I can attest that this is a clear sign of strong commitment from the top leadership of the country. No doubt that UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar will be splendid! Dear colleagues, You will be pleased to know that the people of Mongolia are known for their great hospitality, deeply rooted in nomadic traditions. In fact, it is said that in Mongolia, hospitality is a moral duty. Visitors have open invitation, without needing prior notice. Remarkably, we have the same tradition in my home country, Mauritania.Significant to their nomadic traditions, guests are offered, as a sign of respect, airag (a traditional drink made of fermented horse milk) or milk tea (suutei tsai) or boiled meat: dairy and meat are offered to guests, because they are most prestigious. Again, a similar feature in Mauritania, visitors are offered a drink made of fermented milk. Respectful seating arrangements matter too, as visitors are offered to be on the North side of the ger (a traditional home), the North being the most honored spot. Mongolia, the second-largest landlocked country in the world, has the particularity of having up to 27 more animals than humans. This shows how much livestock represent for the economy, the stability and the prosperity of the country. Another similar feature with Mauritania where the livestock population exceeds the human population!Mongolia’s vast landscapes are defined by its expansive steppes, rugged mountains, and the critical role of its rangelands in supporting both nature and human livelihoods. At the heart of this ecosystem is the Mongolian horse, a hardy and adaptable breed, central to the nomadic way of life. Horses hold deep cultural, historical and practical significance for the people of Mongolia. Remarkably, horses outnumber humans in Mongolia by a ratio of 1.5, underscoring the significant importance of these animals in culture and daily life.These horses are more than a symbol of the enduring connection between the Mongolian people and their environment. This brief overview reveals the deep connections between rangelands and livestock with the culture, the way of life and the economy of not only the pastoralists but the entire nation. Ladies and gentlemen, Land degradation is not a mirage. Land restoration is not a slogan for a fancy international conference. For those who have no other capital, no other source of income than the land they live in and the ecosystems that it sustains, land loss may be the equivalent to a massive economic depression. To a pastoralist or to a small farmer, drought or bushfire may have the same impact as a terrible earthquake or volcano. For the pastoralists of Mongolia and elsewhere, as fertile grasslands give way to barren deserts and sand dunes, herders face dwindling resources for their livestock, threatening their traditional way of life. Sand and dust storms, which have become more frequent and severe, are a visible manifestation of this environmental crisis. These storms lead to loss of top fertile soil; they have far-reaching impacts, affecting air quality, reduced carbon sequestration, human health, and even triggering conflict. While these issues have brought global attention to Mongolia’s environmental challenges, this visibility has also opened doors for international cooperation and investment in sustainable solutions. Initiatives to restore degraded rangelands, stabilize sand dunes, and combat land loss are gaining momentum. Programs that promote sustainable grazing practices, such as rotational grazing and community-based land management, are helping to revive grasslands and improve soil health. These efforts are creating new opportunities for eco-friendly livelihoods, such as eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture. They are empowering local communities to take an active role in preserving their environment while improving their economic prospects.Mongolia’s unique combination of traditional knowledge and modern innovation offers a promising path forward – and one which we are proud will feature UNCCD’s COP17 in 2026. As Mongolia works to restore its degraded lands and manage its rangelands, the country is not only preserving a way of life but also paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future. Mongolia is setting an example, by creating a model for balancing ecological restoration with economic growth – this is Mongolia’s legacy. This journey highlights the potential for turning environmental challenges into opportunities for resilience, innovation, and global leadership, and we at UNCCD are proud to be a part of this beautiful chapter. Madam Minister, Excellencies, As I conclude, I am reminded of the discussions I had in my various meetings with President Khürelsükh, with regards the multiple similarities between Mongolia and Mauritania: Total area : 1 million km2, eachLarge deserts (Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world; and Gobi, the largest desert in Asia);Relatively small-size population (3, 4 or 5 M people)-Relatively large-size livestock (more horses in Mongolia and more camels in Mauritania)Resource rich (especially mining) but relatively small industrial bases, The two countries were admitted the same day to the United Nations on 26 October 1961This is just to say that by hosting COP17 in 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia will host close to 200 Parties, thousands of members of civil society, scientists and International Organisations. A unique opportunity to share experience, adopt relevant policies and above all open new avenues for cooperation and the much needed solidarity across nations.  Thank you.

Do you believe in the power of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing? Are you interested in learning and coordinating a UNCCD initiative on co-learning? Then apply to become Co-Chair of the UNCCD Communities of Learning and Practice (CLPs) on Drought Management.  What are the UNCCD CLPs? At COP 15, Parties requested that the UNCCD Secretariat encourages, supports and facilitates communities of learning and practice to pursue co-learning and collaboration for drought risk reduction and resilience capacity-building matters. As response to Decision 23/COP. 15 Paragraph 8, the UNCCD Secretariat in collaboration with GWP launched the CLPs with the mission to pursue co-learning and collaboration on drought risk reduction and resilience capacity-building issues. The CLPs are peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing and co-learning initiatives to strengthen the capacities of National Focal Points (NFPs), Science and Technology Correspondents (STCs) and other key stakeholders involved in drought management and efforts to combat desertification. A total of six CLPs have been established and are currently operational: a Global CLP and five regional communities (for Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Northern Mediterranean and Central and Eastern Europe). The CLPs serve as a mechanism to promote knowledge sharing both withing and beyond the regions to help transform local experience and know-how into global insights. What do CLPs do? The UNCCD CLPs have over 300 members, representing a diversity of stakeholders including UNCCD National Focal Points, scientists, academics, policy makers and NGOs representatives.  Each CLP has its own online platform where community members can post ideas, share events and case studies, network with global and regional peers and connect directly through direct messaging. Members also benefit from various in-person events and online capacity building resources. CLPs engagement and activities include: Resource library of curated tools, scientific articles, case studies, and technical resources, such as the UNCCD Drought Toolbox.Online self-paced courses on the three pillars of integrated drought management planning (to be launched in 2025).In-person workshops and case clinics dedicated to the design and enhancement of National Drought Policies and Plans.Webinar series on drought-related topics, from land degradation neutrality to early warning systems, and women led drought initiatives.Case study call-outs to identify best management practices, innovative solutions, and lessons learned from the ground experience.Events and sessions at international conferences to increase networking among CLP members and invite new members to join.Membership directory to identify and exchange with experts in your field and region.Blogs and discussions to exchange on hot topics and burning questions as well as get advice from peers. “The community of learning and practice will allow me to improve my knowledge and technical skills on drought and desertification management. I am very happy to be among you in this beautiful community. We are all convinced that "Unity is Strength", so let's work together for a sustainable future for the land and to address the challenges related to the impacts of drought!”– Isaac Goké, UNCCD Youth Negotiator, General Directorate of Environment and Climate, Ministry of Living Environment, Transport, and Sustainable Development, Benin   CLPs impact and achievementsMobilizing hundreds of experts throughout the five continents, the CLPs have become one of the world’s largest platforms for knowledge exchange and peer-to-peer learning on drought management. Over the past two years, the CLPs have accomplished the following achievements:Facilitated peer-to-peer knowledge sharing by providing over 300 resources and posts in multiple languages on the CLP online platform, making knowledge more accessible to diverse communities.Supported two case clinics and three regional workshops, equipping participants to tackle political and technical challenges.Hosted five online knowledge exchange sessions on key themes related to drought resilience and sustainable land management, engaging 687 participants worldwide and enabling countries to co-develop solutions through shared learning. Opening for Co-Chair positions The UNCCD Secretariat has an opening for 12 Co-Chair positions (two per community). The CLP Co-Chairs will play a leading role in managing, coordinating and moderating the UNCCD CLPs. Working closely with the other CLP Co-Chairs and the UNCCD Secretariat, the position is central to ensuring effective collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building among CLP members. The Co-Chair will facilitate discussions, coordinate events, represent the CLP at conferences, manage content and support the strategic direction of the CLP to meet its objectives in drought resilience and sustainable management practices. Interested in applying? Please refer to the expression of interest document for details on the position and how to apply. The application deadline is 31 March 2025.